Key amendment could change Lee law enforcement

Early voting has started in Fort Myers. One big issue is Charter Amendment One. If it passes, it would get rid of the Fort Myers Police Department and have the Lee County Sheriff's Office take over.

But there's debate on whether or not the move will save or cost the city money while keeping the same services.

Here's how it breaks down.

Currently, the FMPD budget is $33.1 million. According to a Fort Myers city report, it would actually cost the city $800,000 to transfer the services to LCSO. This is mainly because the city would still be on the hook for FMPD pensions. But that's only if the sheriff's office keeps the same number of employees. According to City Manager William Mitchell, keeping the same number of employees would ensure the same quality of service.

Mitchell tells us that Sheriff Mike Scott has said he would do the job with less people. FMPD has 247 employees. Mitchell says Scott tells him he would do it with about 180.

Working with that math, it would drop service to an estimated $26.5 million. That would save about $6.5 million. It's unclear if that would provide the same quality of service.

There's also debate on what the city would owe in pensions. The city estimates it would pay about $10 million the first year. Right now the city pays about $8 million. Current employees contribute 10 percent of their pay; a total of about $1 million.

Employees absorbed by LCSO would have an option; they could change and go with the FRS system or stay with their current pension program. In a memo to city staff, Sheriff Scott says for those who elect to stay with their current pension, LCSO would be contributing 20 percent to the city.

The City of Pompano Beach got rid of its police department and elected to have the Broward County Sheriff's Office take over in 2000. According to city staff there, Pompano Beach saw immediate savings of about $5 million, because the Sheriff's Office was doing the job with less people. Pompano Beach has a population of more than 100,000 and a current police budget of $35.3 million. It currently pays about $4 million toward pensions.

Fort Myers population is just over 65,000.

Last year, LCSO responded to more than 500,000 calls for service. FMPD responded to more than 200,000. LCSO would be absorbing that load.

All of the numbers that have been provided by the city are just estimates. The city would have to negotiate with LCSO if the amendment passes.

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